One finger on mechanical discs (Avid BB7s). Works without a problem. The advantages of index finger braking for me is twofold: 1) those last three fingers on the bar (as opposed to just pinky and ring finger) make a HUGE difference in control and 2) it helps me keep my hands out at the ends of the bars where they should be. With two fingers on the brakes, I tend to slide my hands in a little and that means control loss.

Iíve only started one finger braking in the last few months, so I still need to be conscious of it. But for such a small thing, itís made a big improvement in my riding.

I use all 4, tried using two but got sick of crushing the other two. Maybe i need to make some adjustments hell i don't know.

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I tend to do the same thing! I am trying to go back to keeping all 4 over the grips and the brake lever but find it is a much more secure feeling to keep all 4 on the grips, especially on a bumpy downhill. But then how to brake?

I stopped keeping all 4 fingers, and braking with all 4 on my last mountain bike with hydraulic brakes...grip thebrakes hard with all 4 and over the bars you go!

So I got into the practice of braking with 2 fingers. On my trance there was room enough to stop the bike and not mash my fingers. On my mechanical brakes with this bike I find myself still braking with 2 fingers and mashing the other 2. Which also limits braking ability. Not a good thing in 2 ways!

Remember when we were kids and our Mom's said we could not play in the mud? I'm making up for it now!!

Position the levers toward the center and place your index finger at the end of the lever: you'll have much more leverage and the power of just the index finger will suffice, if your brakes are any good.

When you give one-finger braking a try, it's important to actually move the levers, because if you do it with the finger in the mid-part of the lever, it'll take a lot more effort to pull the lever.

If it doesn't work for you, move the levers a bit towards the handlebar ends and use two fingers.

Another benefit of proper placement of the lever is that the other fingers won't be in the way (crushed) even if the brakes are set to engage with the lever close to the bar.

Last edited by Saul Lumikko; 11-30-2012 at 02:21 AM.
Reason: Edited to make different points more clear.

Not exactly, I use 2 but it's the middle finger doing the work. I have way more range of motion using middle+index together than just index, very uncomfortable using just index. In 27+ years mtbing, can't recall ever losing control of the bar from lack of grip with the other 2 plus thumb, even on Ergon grips which some whine about "death grip" issues.

Originally Posted by broccoli rob

Magura MT 2's. I only use my middle fingers. Does anyone else do this?

The less figners you have on the lever the more grip and control you have on the bars, adjust your break levers over and adjust the throw in and try and get used to 2 fingers. Then get down to one if you can, hydro brakes makes it easy to single finger brake. Even most high end mechanical brakes feel good with one finger, but start with two then build your confidence up.

Hope X2's - 1 finger is plenty. And as Saul Lamikko said, adjust the brakes toward the center so you're pulling on the end of the lever. For those of you that say you smash your other fingers when braking, this is the solution for you as well...also adjusting them properly so you don't bottom them out on hard braking.